Hello everyone, new member although I've been reading the forum for quite a while.
I would like to get a handheld scanner to use while railfanning, I don't know much about them so would appreciate a suggestion as to what to get. I would like to keep it to $100 or less if possible, I don't mind buying used either. I would prefer to have a unit with a recharable battery also.
Thanks!
I've had one of these for years, and I know many who have this model as well. Some replace the stock antenna for something else, but you can make that call youself...gets a good 10 miles or so as a handheld with the stock antenna.
https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BC125AT-Military-Aircraft-Channels/dp/B00772MR0K
It also scans fast enough to where you can program in all of the AAR channels and scan everything at once, so in most cases you do not need to know the channels for the area you're in, if you'd so like. It's easy to lockout channels from the scan if you won't want to hear them or are giving you interfearance.
Thanks. Looks really nice.
I've had a BC125AT for a couple of years now & I'm very satisfied with it. It receives well enough for my purposes & has a number of nice features. I found it a little confusing to program at first, but that's probably just me. Shop around as prices can vary if your inclined to get one.
I programmed all 100 railroad frequencies into it & scan them all. That way no matter where I go, I will more than likely pick up voice & detector traffic.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
There are some radios which target the amateur radio market that will serve the purpose. It's really important, however, that if you use such a radio, you program it so it won't transmit.
Those that I have (I'm a "ham") have around 128 channels available, and will allow a frequency to be entered twice, so you could put the channels for railroads around you in for ease of listening, and all ~100 AAR channels for when you travel...
There are actually almost 200 AAR channels now, with the narrowbanding, but I understand few of the new channels are in use.
If I recall correctly, EOT's are in the 400 MHz band - the dual band "ham" handhelds will also pick those up. Some folks like to listen for them because they often give an indication of rail traffic in the area when there are no voice transmissions to be had.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68 There are some radios which target the amateur radio market that will serve the purpose. It's really important, however, that if you use such a radio, you program it so it won't transmit.
Note that the aforementioned scanner model WILL NOT transmit. It isn't built to, so no worries on this count.
Yes, transmitting on any frequency without authorization is a great way to have the law after you!
Kind of an off topic question but are scanners illegal in Canada?, I had heard a long time ago they were. Specifically scanners that could listen in on Police or Emergency channels.
Just Googled a bit and the general consensus is that scanners are legal in Canada as long as you don't use them in the commission of a crime (many US states have similar laws). Apparently having a digital scanner requires a license, although I would opine that unless you are caught red handed (probably due to some other crime you're committing), it would be hard to enforce.
While mere possession has been a crime in some US states, in general if you keep a low profile you won't get hassled.
I once got stopped walking down a street in Lexington, KY because I had a scanner hanging on my belt. Fortunately it had no police frequencies in it (back in crystal days). The prohibition there was having a scanner with police frequencies installed in it outside your house.
Michigan used to require a permit, but it wasn't hard to get.
NY prohibits any radio capable of receiving police frequencies in your car. That doesn't mean you have to have any police frequencies actually installed - the radio just has to be capable.
Unless you're an amateur radio operator ("ham").
Consider getting a ham ticket. The license is free, although there is usually a small fee for the test (given locally by local clubs). There are areas where railfans communicate via ham radio.
A ham liscense will get you the ability to carry a scanner is every state, as far as I know. Some states are lame and still require it, Michigan dumped the law some time ago. Indiana still has their scanner law requiring a HAM liscense or using it in the course of employment, but in reality, I've carried my scanner in Indiana plenty of times, even when the cops drop by to ask what's up, and not a word spoken about it.
Obsucre laws these are, and I'm sure cops aren't worried about it unless you're commiting a crime. There's also the out-of-state-plates argument, if you "need" it, of course it only works if you have out-of-state-plates. And of course, if they do ask you to put it away in those cases, then you've gotta just do it!
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